US 9,894,432 B2Granted

Modular acoustic horns and horn arrays

AssigneeBose Corporation

InventorsDavid Edwards Blore, Paul F. Fidlin, Soichiro Hayashi, Thomas E. MacDonald, Peter C. Santoro

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Abstract

A modular horn type loudspeaker and a modular horn array formed of modular loudspeakers. An acoustic horn includes a first acoustic module. The first acoustic module includes a first acoustic driver and a first acoustic duct, for conducting acoustic energy from the first acoustic driver. The first acoustic duct has a first opening through which acoustic energy is radiated. The first acoustic duct is characterized by a first centerline. A second acoustic module includes a second acoustic driver and a second acoustic duct, for conducting acoustic energy from the acoustic driver. The second acoustic duct has a second opening through which acoustic energy is radiated. The second acoustic duct is characterized by a second centerline.

Claims24

Dependent claims

A loudspeaker comprising:

a horn comprising a first end panel, a second end panel, a first side wall, and a second side wall, edges of at least the first and second side walls defining a diffraction slot opening;
and
a plurality of electro-acoustic transducers configured to be coupled to the diffraction slot opening,
wherein the horn has configurable vertical and horizontal dispersion angles, wherein the vertical angle is determined by a curvature of the diffraction slot opening and the horizontal angle is determined by an angle of the side walls from the diffraction slot opening;
and
wherein the plurality of electro-acoustic transducers are coupled to the diffraction slot opening via a plurality of manifold components, each manifold component comprising at least one acoustic passage and an output opening coupled to the diffraction slot opening, the output openings of the plurality of manifold components together constituting a diffraction slot source at the diffraction slot opening, and wherein each electro-acoustic transducer is coupled to an input opening of one of the manifold components.

3 more elements

A loudspeaker comprising:

a horn comprising a first end panel, a second end panel, a first side wall, and a second side wall, edges of at least the first and second side walls defining a diffraction slot opening;
and
a plurality of electro-acoustic transducers configured to be coupled to the diffraction slot opening,
wherein the side walls of the horn vary in at least one of length, width, curvature and placement angle;
and
wherein the plurality of electro-acoustic transducers are coupled to the diffraction slot opening via a plurality of manifold components, each manifold component comprising at least one acoustic passage and an output opening coupled to the diffraction slot opening, the output openings of the plurality of manifold components together constituting a diffraction slot source at the diffraction slot opening, and wherein each electro-acoustic transducer is coupled to an input opening of one of the manifold components.

3 more elements

A loudspeaker comprising:

a horn comprising a first end panel, a second end panel, a first side wall, and a second side wall, edges of at least the first and second side walls defining a diffraction slot opening;
and
a plurality of electro-acoustic transducers configured to be coupled to the diffraction slot opening,
wherein the horn has a shape that is asymmetric about at least one axis;
and
wherein the plurality of electro-acoustic transducers are coupled to the diffraction slot opening via a plurality of manifold components, each manifold component comprising at least one acoustic passage and an output opening coupled to the diffraction slot opening, the output openings of the plurality of manifold components together constituting a diffraction slot source at the diffraction slot opening, and wherein each electro-acoustic transducer is coupled to an input opening of one of the manifold components.

3 more elements

A loudspeaker comprising:

a horn comprising a first end panel, a second end panel, a first side wall, and a second side wall, edges of at least the first and second side walls defining a diffraction slot opening;
and
a plurality of electro-acoustic transducers configured to be coupled to the diffraction slot opening,
wherein the diffraction slot opening is placed off-center between the side walls of the horn results in an asymmetric horizontal dispersion angle;
and
wherein the plurality of electro-acoustic transducers are coupled to the diffraction slot opening via a plurality of manifold components, each manifold component comprising at least one acoustic passage and an output opening coupled to the diffraction slot opening, the output openings of the plurality of manifold components together constituting a diffraction slot source at the diffraction slot opening, and wherein each electro-acoustic transducer is coupled to an input opening of one of the manifold components.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 15/255,358Filed 2 Sep 2016 · continuation
Priority: 10 Dec 2014
Published: US 2016/0373856 A122 Dec 2016
Granted: 13 Feb 2018
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification10 codes

H04R 1/30
For obtaining desired frequency characteristic only: combinations of transducers with horns, e.g. with mechanical matching means , i.e.…
G10K 11/025
Mechanical acoustic impedances; Impedance matching, e.g. by horns; Acoustic resonators: horns for impedance matching
G10K 11/26
Methods or devices for transmitting, conducting or directing sound: sound-focusing or directing, e.g. scanning
H04R 1/345
By using a single transducer with sound reflecting, diffracting, directing or guiding means: for loudspeakers